Book: Children's Time in Worship

by Arline J. Ban. Judson Press, 1981. 128 pp.

Children's Time was written in the context of rather traditional Baptist churches who want to make the worship service more meaningful to children. Ban considers the dilemma of children remaining in the service versus being separated to a another worship place. She opts (mildly) for the first and makes a number of suggestions for incorporating. children into the regular service.

But most of her attention is devoted to the few minutes when the pastor (or another adult) has "a word with the children." She gives helpful hints on structuring such a time and provides storytelling techniques. In the second part of the book she retells some forty stories.

Ban is eclectic in both the story models and the subject matter she offers. The models include Bible stories, human-interest vignettes, and object lessons. The subjects range from Epiphany to Valentine's Day to Rosa Park's story. Most stories go lightly on the moral and are fitting for a worship setting.

Harry Boonstra (hboonstr@calvin.edu) is former theological editor of RW and emeritus theological librarian of Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 

Reformed Worship 12 © June 1989 Worship Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church. Used by permission.